Royal Engagement Rings

From solitaires to triple-stone settings, diamond rings have long been the tradition when declaring undying love.

The Queen’s Engagement Ring

This ring was given to Princess Elizabeth as a token of Prince Philip’s love. After a friendship of several years, Philip had dismantled one of his mother’s old tiaras to provide the diamonds for this ring.

The Duchess of Cornwall’s ring

Clarence House announced the engagement of Camilla Parker-Bowles (neé Shand) and the Prince of Wales on February 5, 2005. Charles proposed with a ring that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother – his beloved grandmother.

Charles’ grandfather, Prince Albert (the future George VI) was so overjoyed when his wife gave birth to their first daughter, he gave her this emerald-cut diamond with 3 diamond baguettes along each side.

In memory of his beloved grandparents, Charles gave Camilla this ring to seal their love.

HRH The Countess of Wessex’s Oval and Hearts Ring

When Prince Edward proposed to Miss Sophie Rhys Jones, he broke with his brothers’ tradition of colored gems – he proposed with a diamond ring.

Edward broke the mould and gave Sophie a 2-carat oval diamond with heart-shaped diamonds on either side. Her wedding band, like all British royal brides, was made with Welsh gold. That’s one tradition that never changes despite the varying styles and designs of engagement rings!

Rocking Tradition

Some royals chose to buck the diamond trend and instead go for a colorful gem. Look no further than this fascinating array of gems worn by several royal lovebirds for inspiration:

The most famous precious gem in recent times belonged to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The eye-popping oval sapphire surrounded by tiny baguette diamonds was chosen by Diana herself for her engagement to Prince Charles in 1981. The engagement ring is now worn by her daughter-in-law Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

jewelry.about.com

Charles and Diana’s son, Prince William, used this ring to propose to the former Kate Middleton while on holiday in Kenya together. With Diana in his thoughts, “this was my way of keeping her close to it all,” said William.

However, Diana was not the first to wear a sapphire and diamond engagement ring. Several styles of royal rings over the years have incorporated the diamond and sapphire theme.

In 1973, Captain Mark Phillips presented the Queen’s only daughter, Princess Anne, with a triple-stone set ring – a sapphire flanked by two diamonds.

Personal Perfection

Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, the Queen’s younger sister, was engaged to photographer friend Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960. He had the ruby and diamond ring designed to resemble a rose in honor of the princess, whose full name was Margaret Rose.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, proposed to his flame-haired girlfriend Sarah Ferguson with an oval ruby surrounded by smaller diamonds mounted in gold.

The prince chose a ruby to match his fiancée’s red hair.

Fast Facts Engagement Sheet!

Princess Elizabeth & Prince Philip
Engagement announced: July 9th, 1947
Married: November 20th, 1947

HRH Princess Anne & Captain Mark Phillips
Engagement Announced: May 29th, 1973
Married: November 14th, 1973
(Div. 1992. Anne married Timothy Laurence on December 12th, 1992)

HRH Prince Edward & Ms. Sophie Rhys Jones
Engagement announced: January 6th, 1999.
Married: June 19th, 1999

HRH The Prince of Wales & Camilla Parker-Bowles
Engagement announced: February 10th, 2005
Married: April 9th, 2005

Ms. Zara Phillips & Michael Tindall
(Zara’s ring is the featured image)
Engagement announced: December 21, 2010
Married: July 30th, 2011

HRH Prince William of Wales & Ms. Catherine Middleton
Engagement announced: November 16th, 2010
Married: April 29th, 2011

For all of your dreamy royal rings, check out Gemvara! You can personalize ANY ring and make it as unique as you are!